Knitted Penguin

By Allison Hay

Penguin project from Tiny Christmas Toys To Knit

All wrapped up with a scarf and hat, this cute little penguin is adorable! It would make a lovely little gift, or be ideal for a Christmas fayre make – and you can knit it in an evening…

You will need:

6m (6 ½ yd) each of DK (8-ply/light worsted) yarn in black (A) and white (B), and small amounts in yellow (C), light blue (D) and blue (E)
Small amount of DK (8-ply/light worsted) yarn or 4-ply (fingering) yarn in lilac felted tweed (F)
Small length of strong white cotton thread
Small amount of toy stuffing
Finished size: 7cm tall

To make:

Body

Using yarn A, cast on 10 sts.

Row 1 (WS): p to end.

Row 2: (kfb) to end (20 sts).

Row 3: p to end.

Row 4: (k1, kfb) to end (30 sts).

Row 5: p to end.

Row 6: using yarn A k9, using yarn B k12, using yarn A k9.

Row 7-19: changing colours as set and beg with a p WS row, work 13 rows in st st.

Row 20: keeping colours correct, (k1, k2tog) to end (20 sts). Break yarn B.

Row 21-29: using yarn A and beg with a p WS row, work 9 rows in st st.

Row 30: (k2tog) to end (10 sts).

Break yarn, thread through all sts and pull tightly. Fasten off.

Wings (Make 2)

Using yarn A, cast on 12 sts.

Rows 1-3: beg with a p WS row, work 3 rows in st st.

Row 4: (k2, k2tog) to end (9 sts).

Row 5: p to end.

Row 6: (k1, k2tog) to end (6 sts).

Row 7: (p2tog) to end (3 sts).

Break yarn, thread through all sts and pull tightly. Fasten off.

Beak

Using yarn C, cast on 5 sts.

Row 1: p to end.

Row 2: skpo, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 3: p3tog (1 st).

Fasten off.

Hat

Using yarn D, cast on 20 sts.

Rows 1-4: beg with a p WS row, work 4 rows in st st.

Rows 5 and 6: change to yarn E and, beg with a p WS row, work 2 rows in st st.

Row 7: change to yarn D, p to end.

Row 8: using yarn D, (k2, k2tog) to end (15 sts).

Row 9: change to yarn E, p to end.

Row 10: using yarn E, (k1, k2tog) to end (10 sts).

Break yarn, thread through all sts and pull tightly. Fasten off.

Scarf

Using yarn F, cast on 3 sts. Work in g st until the piece measures 15cm (6in).

Cast off.

Pompom

Wind yarn B 20 times around two fingers and tie the centre with strong cotton thread. Cut the loops open and trim to shape.

To make up

With the fastened-off yarn end of the body, sew the seam half closed. With the cast-on yarn end, work a running stitch along the cast-on edge and pull tightly to gather. Sew the rest of the base seam, stuff the body and close the seam. Seam the wings and attach them to the sides of the body. Attach the cast-on edge of the beak to the face. Seam the hat, lightly stuff and attach it to the head. Sew the pompom onto the hat. Using yarn B, work a French knot for each eye. Make backstitches along the short ends of the scarf, leaving a loop every other stitch. Cut the loops open and trim. Sew the scarf around the neck.